Lord,
it is night.

Today at a Newcomer’s Luncheon at my church, I described my work by saying no two days are ever alike. A while ago, I tried to go back to retrace just this past week: After church on Easter Sunday, I found out I am baptizing 7 children in May and another 9 in June. The next day, which was supposed to be a day off, saw me helping with a serious pastoral crisis.

The night is for stillness.
Let us be still in the presence of God.

From Sunday on, right beneath the surface of my consciousness was the challenge of preaching about Thomas once again. How much more can you find to say about that passage when it comes around every year on the Second Sunday in Easter. Hitting another dead end in the effort to get my dad squared away with hearing aids, followed by a bridal party luncheon I was very late to because of said dead end. Driving, driving and driving some more, almost always squeezing in a phone conversation and maybe even some singing, with Maria while I drive, lunches and listening, wedding leaflets, web page stuff to learn,  a quick run up the road with a good friend and some time to enjoy a place called Petals from the Past, which sells some pretty amazing plants, especially roses.

It is night after a long day.
What has been done has been done;
what has not been done has not been done;
let it be.

Yesterday evening, I watched a radiant bride come down the aisle, a moment of joy for a family that needed such joy and then I came home to get a few more pieces in place for church.

The night is dark.
Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives
rest in you.

Today, a confirmation class to finish preparing for, and no way to stop after celebrating at 8, teaching the confirmation class at 9, and preaching at 10:15. After the service it was time to hurry down to the newcomer’s luncheon. Then back home, planting, weeding, mulching, watering, cleaning out the chicken coop, doing laundry and dishes and paying bills; tying up loose ends because tomorrow, we’re going to the mountains of North Carolina for a couple days.

The night is quiet.
Let the quietness of your peace enfold us,
all dear to us,
and all who have no peace.

All of that is done and now, the night prayer I most love, from the New Zealand Book of Common Prayer.

The night heralds the dawn.
Let us look expectantly to a new day,
new joys,
new possibilities.

In your name we pray.
Amen.